Removable center-board carrier arrangement for a yacht with an air float

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a centerboard carrier for yacht removably mounted on a bottom plate or on a support plate secured on the bottom plate of the yacht hull.

0 United States Patent [1 3,805,726 Yagl Apr. 23, 1974 [54] REMOVABLE CENTER-BOARD CARRIER 2,119,881 6/1938 Kline ..114/140 ARRANGEMENT FOR A YACHT WITH AN 3,090,086 5/1963 Fata 287/2092 T AIR FLOAT 179,680 7/1876 Burkhardt 287/2092 T 3,566,425 3/1971 Welty I 9/2 A [76] Inventor: Shoji Yagi, No, 10-1, Shitaya 2,949,616 8/1960 Desanges.... 9/2 A 2.cho ne Dait -ku Tokyo Ja an 3,682,123 8/1972 Edwards 9/2 A Filed: p 30, 1971 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [21] Appl, No; 185,205 374,092 3/1922 Germany 114/138 [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary Examiner-George Halvosa June 3 1971 m an 464579, A.s'st'.vtant Examiner-Edward R. Kazenske P Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stevens, Davis, Miller & [52] U.S. C1. 114/138, 9/2 C, 9/2 A, Mosher 114/140, 114/63 [51] Int. Cl B63b 41/00 [58] Field of Search 114/127, 126, 138, 139, [57] ABSTRACT 114/140,141,l30,56,63 ;9/2F,2S,2A,2

287/20 92T 99 ThIs lnventlon relates to a centerboard owner for yacht removably mounted on a bottom plate or on a 56] References Cited support plate secured on the bottom plate of the yacht h 1. UNITED STATES PATENTS I u 1 3,383,719 5/1968 Van Der Heide 114/138 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures A REMOVABLE CENTER-BOARD CARRIER ARRANGEMENT FOR A YACHT WITH AN AIR FLOAT cl DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In the prior art yacht, since the centerboard carrier was rigidly mounted on the hull structure by means of welding or rivetting, a great deal of time and labor was required for renewing the centerboard carrier due to its' damage or retains. Also, since the prior art centerboard carrier is not removably mounted on the hull structure and projecting upwardly from the bottom plate while air floats may be folded together in case of a yacht having foldable air floats, it is not convenient for handling when storing in a warehouse or during transportation by cars and tracks. Moreover, it may sustain a damage when it comes in contact with some other object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates to provide a removable carrier for centerboard in which abovementioned disadvantages are overcome and which is easy to handle during storing and transportation. The present relates to a centerboard carrier for yacht removably mounted on the bottom plate or the support plate secured on the bottom plate by clamping means, hinge means or tongue and groove construction.

Object of the present invention is to provide a removable centerboard carrier for yacht having lower end thereof removably mounted the support plate secured on the hull structure and constructed to be handled easily for storing and transportation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a removable centerboard carrier for yacht enabling a centerboard to be automatically removed by removing the centerboard carrier from the hull construction.

Further object of the present invention is to provide a device for removably mounting a centerboard carrier of the yacht which includes a very simple mechanism for the purpose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall plan view showing a yacht incorporating one embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view in enlarged scale taken along a line lIII in FIG. 1;

.FIG. 3 is a sectional view in enlarged scale taken along a line IIIIII in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view in enlarged scale taken along a line IV-IV in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view in enlarged scale taken along a line V-V in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view in enlarged scale showing a variation of the centerboard carrier shown in FIG. 3, and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view in enlarged scale showing another variation of the centerboard carrier shown in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

Now, preferred embodiments of the removable centerboard carrier according to the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter by way of example with reference to a accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 to 5 showing a first embodiment according to the present invention, each of bottom plates 1, 2 and 3 of wood or plastics is provided in lower surface thereof with solid dovetails a, b, c and d formed integrally with each bottom plate and projecting downwardly, and the bottom plates 1, 3 are fitted with a pair of butt straps e, f respectively, each pair of which butt straps includes strips disposed on upper and lower surface of the bottom plate so as to have the bottom plate sandwiched between the pair of butt straps and secured together by clamping means, such as bolts and nuts. Forward and rearward edge of the bottom plate 2 are inserted into and held by the abovementioned butt straps e, f as shown in FIG. 5 (left end is referred to as forward and right end as rearward in FIG. 1). Keel members 4, 5 having mating grooves are fitted over the above-mentioned dovetails a, b, c and d in a direction vertical to the drawing sheet, viewing in FIG. 5, so as to connect the bottom plates 1, 2 and 3 together tightly. A pair of support members 7, 8 disposed in V-shaped configuration and having a socket 6 for receiving a mast is fixedly mounted on the bottom plate 1 in the central portion thereof by clamping means g, h. Eye rings 1, m are secured to the support members 7, 8 so as to have rope 9 ends depending from the mast tied thereto. A pair of support plates 10, 11 are secured to the bottom plate 2 adjacent to forward end thereof with a suitable space provided therebetween. A centerboard carrier Z of rectangular crosssection is mounted on the support plates 10, 11 with the flange 12 extending outwardly from the former at the lower end thereof laid over the latter. The centerboard carrier Z is removably secured to the support plate 10, 11 by clamping means n, such a machine screws, as required. As shown in FIG. 3, water impervious fabric K suitably treated and inserted into the center board carrier 2 is passed through opening 2, 4 provided respectively on the bottom plate 2 and the keel member 4. The lower end of the fabric having a prismatic configuration 13 of rectangular cross-section is extended outwardly from the openings 2', 4, and spread over the lower surface of the bottom plates 1, 2 and 3. Both side ends K K of the fabric K is connected to the air float P such that the bottom plate 1, 2, 3, the fabric K, and air float P will form a hull structure S as shown in FIG. 1. A centerboard 14 is inserted into the fabric K of prismatic configuration 13 of rectangular cross-section. Solid flange member 14', 14" provided onthe centerboard 14 and extending laterally therefrom are placed on and supported by the centerboard carrier Z. i

A pair of parallel guide members 15, 16 are secured on the bottom plate 3 along center line of the latter adjacent to rear end thereof. An upright frame member 17 is mounted on the guide members 15, 16 with a foot portion 17' of the frame member 17 slidably fitted into cut-out portion 1, v formed on the guide members 15, 16. A doubling plate 20 and the water impervious fabric K are secured to the frame member 17 in the rear surface thereof. Further, a rudder bearer 21 of U- shaped cross-section is mounted on the frame member 17. Screw rods 18, 19 are screwed into the frame member 17, passing through openings 20, K and 21' provided respectively on the doubling plate 20, vertical portion K of the fabric K and the rudder bearer 21 and tightened up together by nuts 22, 23. A rudder stock F is inserted into upper and lower hole r, u provided respectively on both arms of the U-shaped rudder bearer 21. A tiller member y is mounted on the rudder stock F at upper end thereof, and a rudder member 24 is mounted thereon at the lower end thereof. The air float P is divided into two sections P, and P at the forward end by means of a partition 25.

A pair of openings l3, l3 are provided on the water impervious fabric K of prismatic configuration 13 within the centerboard carrier Z adjacent to upper end thereof. These openings 13, 13" are used to secure the upper end of the prismatic portion of the fabric K to lower ends of a pair of ropes depending from top end of the mast so as to hold the fabric K in way of the prismatic portion above water level (not shown) at all times, thereby preventing positively and readily water from coming into the hull structure, in case of the centerborad being taken out of the centerboard carrier Z.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the removable centerboard carrier according to the present invention. A pair of cutout grooves 30', 31' are provided respectively on the support plates 30, 31. A flange member 32 formed on the centerboard carrier Z at the lower end thereof is slidably inserted into the grooves 30, 31. Therefore, the centerboard can be withdrawn from the support plates 30, 31 by causing the former to be moved rearwardly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the removable centerboard carrier according to the present invention. A flange member 35 provided on the centerboard car rier in the left side at the lower end thereof is hingedly connected to the support plate 36 by means ofa hinge pin 37 (the flange 36 may be provided in the right side if required). More particularly, one half of the hinge member is mounted on the support plate 36 and mating the other half on the flange 35. Both halves of the hinge member will be connected by inserting a hinge pin 37. The centerboard carrier Z may be removed by releasing the hinge pin 37.

Referring to FIG. 1, a reference numeral 26 shows a reinforcing support member secured to the bottom plate 3, and 27 eye pads for lifting the hole hull structure.

As described hereinabove, the bottom plates 1, 2, 3 are assembled together by fitting the keel member 4, over the dovetail a, b, c and d of the former. Then, the air float P is supplied with air an the centerboard carrier Z mounted on the support plates 10, 11 with the flange member 12 of the centerboard carrier Z laid over the latter and secured thereto by clamping means n. Thereafter, the centerboard 14 is inserted into the centerboard carrier Z with the solid flange portion 14, 14" of the former placed on the top surface of the centerboard carrier Z so as to have lower end of the centerboard submerged into the water. In this condition, the yacht can sail by setting up a sail (not shown). When the yacht is not used, for instance during transportion or storing up in a warehouse in folded condition, air is discharged out of the air float P. The frame member 17, the doubling plate 20, the rudder l, 2, 21 and the fabric K together with vertical portion K are separated individually by removing the nuts 22, 23 from the screw rods 18, 19. Then, the centerboard carrier Z per se is removed from the support plate 10, 11 by removing the clamping means 11 from the flange 12 of the centerboard carrier 2. After the keel member 4, 5 are disengaged from the dovetail member a, b, c and d by moving the former vertically to the drawing sheet, viewing in FIG. 2, so as to separate the bottom plates 1,2 3, an integral member including the air float P and a sheet of fabric K will be remained, thus becoming ready to be folded together in suitable form.

As described hereinabove with reference to FIG. ,6, the centerboard carrier Z may be removed from the support plates 30, 31 by withdrawing the former from the grooves 30', 31 of the support plates 30, 31.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the centerboard carrier Z may be removed from the support plate 36 by releasing the hinge pin 37 from the hinge connection.

As described hereinabove, the centerboard carrier is readily removed according to the present invention, in contrast to the prior art centerboard carrier which is fixedly mounted on the bottom plate in a predetermined portion. Therefore, in the present invention, the centerboard carrier can be handled separately from the support plates after removal for transportation and handling, thus rendering the handling more expendient.

A number of embodiments have been described hereinabove with respect to the centerboard carrier Z formed to be removed from the support plates 10, 11, or 30, 31 or 35 in the hull-structure having air floats. However, the centerboard carrier according to the present invention may be applicable to the prior art hull structure, such as wooden yacht. Also, it is appreciated that the centerboard carrier Z may be constructed so as to be readily removed by providing clamping means, grooves or hinge member directly on the bottom plate.

What is claimed is;

l. A removal centerboard carrier arrangement for a yacht with foldable air float comprising a plurality of bottom plates disposed in successively contiguous relationship with the side edges of each plate in alignment and each plate having solid dovetails on lower surface thereof keel member having dovetails and being movably mounted by means of said dovetails to said plates on the centerline along the longitudinal direction of said bottom plates, water impervious fabric spread over the lower surface of said bottom plates and said keel member, a foldable air float extending along said side edges of said plates and connected at said floats the lower surface to the side ends of said fabric, at least one support member removably mounted on one of said bottom plates, a centerboard carrier having at least one flange extending laterally at the lower end thereof and being removably mounted on the said support member only by the said at least one flange, said fabric having a prismatic configuration in the area of said carrier is inserted all along the inside wall of said centerboard carrier through openings provided respectively on the bottom plate and keel member, said fabric having a projected part extending outwardly and laterally at the upper end of said prismatic configuration, said projected part being placed on the top surface of the centerboard carrier, and a centerboard having solid flange members provided on the upper part thereof and extending laterally therefrom, said solid flange members being removably placed on said projected part of said prismatic configuration of the fabric.

2. A removal centerboard carrier arrangement for a yacht with a foldable air float of claim 1 wherein the bottom plates having solid dovetails are also fitted with a pair of butt straps, the at least one support member constituted by a pair of support plates secured on one of said bottom plates, each of said pair of support plates having one edge thereof disposed oppositely to each other, and said centerboard carrier having two flanges extending laterally therefrom at the lower end thereof and disposed to be laid over said pair of support plates, said support plates and said flanges of said carrier being removable secured together by clamping means.

3. A removal centerboard carrier arrangement for a yacht with foldable air float of claim 1 wherein the bottom plates having solid dovetails are also fitted with a pair of butt straps at least one support member constituted by a pair of support plates having said cutout groove in the lower surface thereof, and a centerboard carrier having two flanges extending laterally therefrom at the lower end thereof and adapted to be fitted into said cutout grooves of said support plates, said centerboard carrier being removably mounted on the bottom plates by causing said flanges to be moved along said grooves.

4. A removal centerboard carrier arrangement for a yacht with a foldable air float of claim 1 wherein the bottom plates having solid dovetails are also fitted with a pair of butt straps, at least one support member constituted by a support plate secured on one of said bottom plates, a first hinge component member mounted on said support plate along one edge thereof, and said centerboard carrier having said lateral flange member extending therefrom at the lower end thereof, said flange member being provided with a secured hinge component member adapted to be mated with said first hinge component member on said support plate thereby connecting said second hinge component member to said first hinge component member inserting a hinge pin through both hinge component members so as to removably connect said lateral flange member of the centerboard carrier to said support plate. 

1. A removal centerboard carrier arrangement for a yacht with foldable air float comprising a plurality of bottom plates disposed in successively contiguous relationship with the side edges of each plate in alignment and each plate having solid dovetails on lower surface thereof keel member having dovetails and being movably mounted by means of said dovetails to said plates on the centerline along the longitudinal direction of said bottom plates, water impervious fabric spread over the lower surface of said bottom plates and said keel member, a foldable air float extending along said side edges of said plates and connected at said floats the lower surface to the side ends of said fabric, at least one support member removably mounted on one of said bottom plates, a centerboard carrier having at least one flange extending laterally at the lower end thereof and being removably mounted on the said support member only by the said at least one flange, said fabric having a prismatic configuration in the area of said carrier is inserted all along the inside wall of said centerboard carrier through openings provided respectively on the bottom plate and keel member, said fabric having a projected part extending outwardly and laterally at the upper end of said prismatic configuration, said projected part being placed on the top surface of the centerboard carrier, and a centerboard having solid flange members provided on the upper part thereof and extending laterally therefrom, said solid flange members being removably placed on said projected part of said prismatic configuration of the fabric.
 2. A removal centerboard carrier arrangement for a yacht with a foldable air float of claim 1 wherein the bottom plates having solid dovetails are also fitted with a pair of butt straps, the at least one support member constituted by a pair of support plates secured on one of said bottom plates, each of said pair of support plates having one edge thereof disposed oppositely to each other, and said centerboard carrier having two flanges extending laterally therefrom at the lower end thereof and disposed to be laid over said pair of support plates, said support plates and said flanges of said carrier being removable secured together by clamping means.
 3. A removal centerboard carrier arrangement for a yacht with foldable air float of claim 1 wherein the bottom plates having solid dovetails are also fitted with a pair of butt straps at least one support member constituted by a pair of support plates having said cutout groove in the lower surface thereof, and a centerboard carrier having two flanges extending laterally therefrom at the lower end thereof and adapted to be fitted into said cutout grooves of said support plates, said centerboard carrier being removably mounted on the bottom plates by causing said flanges to be moved along said grooves.
 4. A removal centerboard carrier arrangement for a yacht with a foldable air float of claim 1 wherein the bottom plates having solid dovetails are also fitted with a pair of butt straps, at least one support member constituted by a support plate secured on one of said bottom plates, a first hinge component member mounted on said support plate along one edge thereof, and said centerboard carrier having said lateral flange member exteNding therefrom at the lower end thereof, said flange member being provided with a secured hinge component member adapted to be mated with said first hinge component member on said support plate thereby connecting said second hinge component member to said first hinge component member inserting a hinge pin through both hinge component members so as to removably connect said lateral flange member of the centerboard carrier to said support plate. 